How to Encrypt and Decrypt Files Using AWS Asymmetric Key with Python

Learn how to encrypt and decrypt large files using AWS asymmetric keys in Python, including a step-by-step guide to using symmetric keys for large file handling. --- This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/74093110/ asked by the user 'gregory jithin' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/11201918/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/77170025/ provided by the user 'gregory jithin' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/11201918/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions. Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: How to encrypt and decrypt files using aws asymetric key using python Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/licensing The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ ) license. If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com. --- Encrypting and Decrypting Files in Python with AWS Asymmetric Keys In today’s digital world, data security is more important than ever. Whether you're working with sensitive information for a business or personal files that need protection, knowing how to encrypt and decrypt files is essential. If you're utilizing AWS for cloud storage, you might consider using AWS's asymmetric keys for file encryption. However, this leads us to a common challenge: How can we efficiently encrypt and decrypt large files using AWS asymmetric keys with Python? In this guide, we’ll break down the solution in a clear and structured manner, empowering you to handle file security with confidence. Understanding Asymmetric and Symmetric Keys Before diving into the implementation, let's clarify the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption: Asymmetric Encryption Key Pair: Involves a public key (used to encrypt data) and a private key (used to decrypt data). Use Case: Designed for small pieces of data, typically not suited for large files. Symmetric Encryption Single Key: Uses the same key for both encrypting and decrypting files. Use Case: Efficient for large amounts of data, such as files, making it ideal for our scenario. The Solution Approach Given that asymmetric keys are not suitable for encrypting large files directly, we can leverage both encryption methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide to encrypt and decrypt files effectively using AWS KMS (Key Management Service) in Python: Step 1: Generate a Symmetric Key Generate a Symmetric Key: Create a symmetric key locally using a suitable algorithm. For example, you might use libraries like cryptography or pycryptodome. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Encrypt the Large File: Use the symmetric key to encrypt your large file. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Step 2: Retrieve the Public Asymmetric Key Get Public Key from AWS KMS: Use the AWS SDK for Python (boto3) to retrieve the public part of your asymmetric key stored in KMS. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Step 3: Encrypt the Symmetric Key Encrypt the Symmetric Key: Using the public asymmetric key, encrypt your symmetric key. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Step 4: Upload to S3 Upload both the Encrypted File and Key: Use boto3 to upload your encrypted file along with the encrypted symmetric key to Amazon S3. [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Decryption Process When it’s time to decrypt the files, simply reverse the process: Retrieve the Encrypted Symmetric Key and Your Private Key. Download the encrypted_symmetric_key.enc from S3. Decrypt the Symmetric Key: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Decrypt the File: [[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]] Conclusion By utilizing the combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques, you can securely manage large files using AWS in Python. This method is not only efficient but also leverages the strengths of both encryption types to ensure your data remains protected. Now you can confidently handle file encryption and decryption in your applications with AWS and Python. Happy coding!